What To Do If The Trustee Won’t Distribute Your Inheritance?

When you are expecting to inherit a large sum of money or valuable assets, the last thing you want is for the trustee appointed by the decedent to refuse to distribute your inheritance. Unfortunately, this can happen for a number of reasons, and in these cases, it’s important to know what legal actions you can take.

If this sounds like your situation, you might want to consult with a lawyer. Contact our Pompano Beach trustee performance & actions lawyer at Mark R. Manceri, P.A., to discuss what steps you should take if the trustee won’t distribute your inheritance.

Understand the Nature of the Dispute

The first step is to understand why the trustee has refused to distribute your inheritance. It could be that they do not believe that you have a valid claim on the decedent’s estate. This may be due to incorrect information or because they are holding out for a larger payout than you are entitled to. If this is the case, then it’s important that you provide any relevant documentation so that they can reassess your claim.

Get Professional Advice

It would be wise to seek legal advice if the trustee refuses to honor your claim on an inheritance. There are laws in place that protect individuals in these situations, and it’s important that you understand them before taking any action against the trustee. A lawyer can help you navigate these rules and ensure that all parties involved comply with them as outlined by state law. They will also be able to advise on how best to proceed in order to get your inheritance distributed as soon as possible.

Take Legal Action (If Necessary)

If all else fails, then it may be necessary for you to take legal action against the trustee if they continue to refuse to distribute your inheritance. You should always try other methods first before resorting to this course of action, but it is important that trustees adhere strictly by their duties and responsibilities under state law when distributing an estate according to the decedent’s wishes.

Making distributions is not the only duty and responsibility trustees have, which is why you may want to consult with a lawyer to determine what other duties the trustee may have breached when doing his/her job. For example, under Florida Statutes § 736.0813, trustees must inform beneficiaries of the acceptance of the trust within 60 days after accepting the trust.

In some cases, suing a trustee may be necessary in order for them to comply with their duties and distribute an inheritance according to state law and a will-maker’s wishes.

Discuss Your Case with a Lawyer

Taking legal action against a trustee who refuses to distribute an inheritance can seem daunting at first—but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding the root cause of the dispute and seeking professional advice from an attorney who specializes in these matters, individuals can ensure that their rights are upheld and their claims honored according to all applicable laws. Contact our lawyer at Mark R. Manceri, P.A., to discuss your particular case and determine how you can get access to your rightful inheritance as quickly as possible. Call 954-491-7099 to set up a case evaluation.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0736/Sections/0736.0813.html